NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Dow Jones Indices will make the following changes to the S&P MidCap 400 and the S&P SmallCap 600 indices after the close of trading on Friday, December 21:

• S&P SmallCap 600 constituent United Natural Foods Inc. (NASD: UNFI) will replace AMERIGROUP Corp. (NYSE: AGP) in the S&P MidCap 400, and Ixia (NASD: XXIA) will replace United Natural Foods in the S&P SmallCap 600. S&P 500 constituent Wellpoint Inc. (NYSE: WLP) is acquiring AMERIGROUP in a deal expected to be completed soon pending final approvals.
• Abiomed Inc. (NASD: ABMD) will replace Cascade Corp. (NYSE: CASC) in the S&P SmallCap 600. Toyota Industries Corp. is acquiring Cascade in a deal expected to be completed soon pending final conditions.                                               

United Natural Foods is an independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products. Headquartered in Providence, RI, the company will be added to the S&P MidCap 400 GICS (Global Industry Classification Standard) Food Distributors Sub-Industry index.

Ixia supplies converged network and application performance testing solutions. Headquartered in Calabasas, CA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Communications Equipment Sub-Industry index.

Abiomed is a provider of medical devices that provide circulatory support. Headquartered in Danvers, MA, the company will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS HealthCare Equipment Sub-Industry index.

Following is a summary of the changes:

Additions to and deletions from S&P  Dow Jones Indices do not in any way reflect an opinion on the investment merits of the companies involved.

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For more information:

Dave Guarino
Communications
S&P Dow Jones Indices
dave_guarino@spdji.com
(201) 755-5334

David Blitzer
Managing Director and Chairman of the Index Committee
S&P Dow Jones Indices
david_blitzer@spdji.com
(917) 376-1204

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices